This was an unforgiving rout from first whistle to last — Kerry advancing to the Munster MFC decider with 17-points to spare in Thurles last night. The home outfit had edged three of the last four minor meetings between the counties and while Kerry bore the tag of favourites entering this latest instalment, 816 spectators filed through the turnstiles in expectation of a nip-and-tuck semi-final affair. It would prove anything but.

Indeed, the visitors asserted their dominance as early as the 15th second — Tomás Ó Sé pouncing on a Matthew Flaherty delivery to fist home the leather. Kerry attempted to kick on from this positive opening and while a second goal arrived on 12 minutes, Jordan Kiely the provider, the interval difference of five points (2-3 to 0-4) failed to reflect their superiority.

Failure to drive home their advantage during the first 30 stemmed largely from a strong determination to raise a green rather than a white flag. Two goals were pilfered and although five more could have been added, a succession of points would surely have killed off the Tipperary challenge.

Manager Jack O’Connor accepted as much: “We could have clipped over a couple of points at times,” he said. “Maybe we were trying to force goals. We got two and could have got one or two more.” Nonetheless, O’Connor said a solid platform had been laid by the break, singling out keeper Jack Brady who pulled off two quality saves. “We have not conceded any goals in either game and we are happy with that. We had to take this game very seriously as Tipperary have a very good minor record. They turned over a very good Kerry team here three years ago, they turned Cork over here last year so we were under no illusions. “What pleased me most is that we are showing a good hunger and a good attitude.”

Said attributes boiled to the surface at the change of ends as the Kingdom ran amok in every department. Barry O’Sullivan and Mark O’Connor strengthened their hold at midfield, with the half-forward line, in particular Matthew Flaherty, exhausting every blade of grass at the town end. Not to forget full-forward Killian Spillane of course, the contributor of 0-10 and ably cast as chief tormentor for the evening.

Shane Ryan, Spillane (0-2) and Micheál Burns tallied early second-half minors to fasten the noose around Tipperary’s neck. Tommy Nolan and Jack Kennedy replied to sustain their presence in this contest, but only one more score would be added in the remaining 20 minutes — the second-half verdict 0-15 to 0-3 in favour of the winners. Tomás Ó Sé, Brian Rayle and two Spillane efforts stretched the gap to 2-12 to 0-6 subsequently. Padraig White offered momentary resistance, but there would be no easing off on the throttle from O’Connor’s side.

This was a statement of intent. Flaherty, along with substitutes Stephen O’Sullivan and Cormac Coffey, swelled their tally and Spillane, fittingly, would have the final say. “We are very happy with the forwards, even the lads that aren’t scoring that much,” continued O’Connor. “There are other lads who have to come back into us so that will only strengthen competition for places ahead of the final.”

Kerry Minor Team v Tipperary
The Kerry Minor Team to play Tipperary in the Semi Final of the Electric Ireland Munster GAA Minor Football Championship in Thurles on Wednesday evening next at 7pm shows two changes from the side that defeated Clare in Round 1 – Dan O’Donoghue from Spa comes into the side in place of Jason Foley in the half back line and Tomas Ó Sé replaces the injured Cathal Bambury in the full forward line.

Three of the side defeated by Tyrone in last year’s All Ireland quarter final (Shane Ryan, Matthew Flaherty and Michéal Burns) feature in the team.

Tipperary are seeking to play in their 4th Munster minor football championship final in a row. They won the title in 2011 and 2012 defeating Cork and Kerry respectively but lost to Kerry in 2013.

Kerry are looking to reach their 3rd final in a row and to retain the title for the first time since 2009.

The last time Tipperary lost a game in the Munster minor football championship at Semple Stadium was in 2010 when Cork defeated them in the semi-final by 2-12 to 2-9.

There have been 28 goals in the 5 games played so far in this year’s Munster championship, an average of 5.6 per game. Waterford lead the way with 8 goals from 2 games, followed by Cork with 6 from 1 game, Clare with 6 from 3 games, Limerick with 4 from 2 games and Kerry and Tipperary, each with 2 from 1 game.

Since 1956, Cork and Kerry have won every Munster Minor Football title with the exception of 1984, 1995, 2011 and 2012 when Tipperary were successful.

Kerry have played 56 games in the Munster Minor Football Championship since 2000, leading Tipperary who played 54 games in the same period.

Cork, Kerry and Tipperary won at least 1 match in the Munster Minor Football Championship every year since 2001 and their first round victories ensured that record stretches for another year.

Waterford have won 3 of their last 22 matches in the Munster Minor Football Championship.

Limerick have won one of their last 13 matches in the Munster Minor Football Championship.

Clare have won at least one game in each of the last five seasons in the Munster Minor Football Championship.

All 6 counties have been involved in draws since 2000. Remarkably Kerry, Cork, Tipperary and Clare have all had 4 draws in that period while Waterford have had 5 and Limerick 3.

The Tadhg Crowley Cup was presented by Munster Council in 1990 to commemorate late Munster Council Treasurer. Tadhg was elected as Munster Council Treasurer in 1968 and served until his death in December 1989. A teacher by profession, he also served as Kerry County Board Secretary from 1955 until 1970. Tadhg was recognized as a specialist in organizing and handling styles and gates at Munster Championship games.

All Ireland Minor Football Championship

In the Minor Football All Ireland Roll of Honour, Kerry top the charts with 11 titles while Cork are tied for second with Dublin with 10 titles. Clare won the first All-Ireland Minor Football title in 1929 while Tipperary’s two All-Ireland successes at this grade came in 1934 and 2011. Between them Munster counties have accounted for 24 All-Ireland Minor Football titles, ahead of Leinster and Ulster (20 titles each) and Connacht (18 titles).